Filed under: Green , Toyota , Fuel Efficiency , Future , Hybrid , Hydrogen Toyota says the iconic gas-electric hybrid is still important because it provides a preview of how the Mirai fuel cell vehicle will land, in a culture that may not yet be ready for it. Continue reading Does the Toyota Prius still matter? Does the Toyota Prius still matter? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Feb 2015 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Green , Toyota , Emerging Technologies , Electric , Hybrid Chargemaster has received an investment from Qualcomm for wireless charging in the UK. Of the 27,000 charging stations it has already installed, 10,000 are ready to be adapted for inductive charging, according to Chargemaster. Dr. Anthony Thomson of Qualcomm says that with this investment (of a currently undisclosed amount), “we are taking another step towards deployment of a convenient and easy to use WEVC network.” The convenience of wireless charging not only makes life easier for current EV drivers, but could also help convince more people to make the switch to electric driving. Read more at EV Fleet World or at Hybrid Cars . Continue reading Recharge Wrap-up: Qualcomm invests in Chargemaster, gamers will appreciate these Toyota Prius C ads Recharge Wrap-up: Qualcomm invests in Chargemaster, gamers will appreciate these Toyota Prius C ads originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Dec 2014 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: Green , Toyota , Hybrid When the designers thought they were just about finished with the new look of the fourth-generation Toyota Prius hybrid, higher-ups did not like what they saw and sent those designers back to the proverbial drawing board to come up with something a little spicier. Duly inspired, the designers came up with something last spring that may look a bit like the C-HR crossover concept , Automotive News says. For those looking for a Prius design with a little more bite, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Toyota says C-HR Concept is more of a Prius preview than we thought originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Dec 2014 11:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink

Filed under: LA Auto Show , Hybrid , Wagon , Toyota , Design/Style , Technology The Toyota Prius V is the most utilitarian member of the Prii family with a big jump in cargo space over the rest but maintaining the great fuel economy. For the 2015 model year, the company is giving the wagon an update with a big shift in front end styling and upgraded taillights to go with the revised look. Inside, customers also get a little new technology, as well. The biggest change up front is the reshaped headlights and new bumper that look almost identical to the recent restyling of the Prius + in Europe . Though, the latest parts might be a little polarizing and almost make the wagon look like it has gills at each corner. The top level Prius V Five trim also adds integrated foglights to the design and headlights with LEDs for the high and low beams. Toyota is offering three additional colors too: Attitude Black Metallic, Absolutely Red and Toasted Walnut Pearl. Inside, drivers can get a new, eight-way adjustable power driver’s seat on some models, and there’s now a 4.2-inch TFT screen situated between the gauges on the Three trim level and higher to display information like fuel economy, navigation instructions, climate control settings and more. The upper versions also get Toyota’s latest Entune infotainment system with a 6.1-inch high-res touchscreen with navigation. Finally, the Advanced Technology Package on the Five trim now includes Lane Departure Alert and Automatic High Beams.

Filed under: LA Auto Show , Budget , Hybrid , Hatchback , Toyota Few vehicles can match the affordable fuel economy of the $19,000, 53-mile-per-gallon Toyota Prius C , and that fact isn’t likely to change for 2015, as the Japanese company has issued a moderate refresh of its sub-compact hybrid. As mid-cycle refreshes go, this is a pretty standard affair, with a larger grille and tweaked LED headlights at the front of the Prius C, and more expressive taillights at the back. Toyota made some minor changes in the cabin, updating materials throughout, but not fiddling too much with the overall level of equipment. Aside from those modest changes, this is the same fuel-efficient five-door, retaining its 1.5-liter, 73-horsepower, 82-pound-foot four-cylinder, while an electric motor tosses in an extra 26 ponies, for a total system output of 99 horsepower. Along with the 53-mpg highway rating, the C will return 46 mpg in the city. Take a look below for the full press release from Toyota, and then be sure to check out the full gallery of live images, straight from the 2014 Los Angeles Auto Show. Continue reading 2015 Toyota Prius C is still colorful, still gets 53 mpg 2015 Toyota Prius C is still colorful, still gets 53 mpg originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Nov 2014 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink